Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 31.djvu/84

 76 Southern Historical Society Papers.

governor of Alabama to obtain a supply of artillery powder, and secured 40,000 pounds, which was subsequently used against Fort Sumter.

11 General P. G. T. Beauregard was placed in command of the mili- tary forces in the vicinity of Charleston, and preparations were be- gun to reduce Fort Sumter, should peaceful measures fail. General Beauregard was without a staff, and it was my privilege to attend him as aide when locating the batteries to operate against Fort Sum- ter, which was done as fast as General Beauregard could walk, those on Morris island being located first, and then those on Sullivan's island.

"When it became apparent that the government at Washington meant subjugation, the Confederate government directed General Beauregard to capture Fort Sumter. Accordingly, General Beau- regard ordered Captain George S. James to fire the signal gun at 4:30 A. M., on the I2th of April, 1861. This gun was fired by Lieutenant Wade Hampton Gibbes, afterwards major of artillery in the Army of Northern Virginia.

" One of the most formidable guns used against Sumter was pre- sented by Mr. Prioleau, of Liverpool, of the firm of John Fraser & Co., of Charleston, of which city Mr. Prioleau was native. By order of Governor Pickens I delivered this gun to the engineer offi- cer in charge of the Morris island batteries. When mounted it was placed under the command of Captain John P. Thomas (afterwards colonel), professor at the State Military Academy.

" On Sunday, i4th of April, 1861, Fort Sumter was formally sur- rendered and evacuated by Major Robert Anderson. Governor Pickens and General Beauregard, accompanied by their staff officers, were present. Major Anderson and his officers, save Captain Dou- bleday, were introduced to Governor Pickens.

"Among the officers present was Captain Hartstem, formerly of the United States navy, to whom, at his request, was presented, by Major Anderson, a piece of the garrison flag, which was shared with the writer, and which is still in his possession.

" While picking up fragments of shell near the southeast angle of Sumter, on the day of the surrender, the writer was accosted by a soldier of Major Anderson's command, who said: 'you can gather as many pieces as you want near this gun,' a lo-inch Columbian, which had been dismounted by Captain Thomas with the rifle gun. The soldier added: * Faith, sor, the man that fired that rifle gun was a good Democrat.' '